Safety Tips

Beach: San Diego lifeguards recommend the following safety tips:

Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present
Follow regulations and lifeguard directions
No glass containers at the beach -- broken glass and bare feet don't mix
Stay clear of coastal bluffs, they can collapse and cause injury
Never turn your back to the ocean -- you may be swept off coastal bluffs or tide pool areas and into the water by waves that can come without warning
Report hazardous conditions to lifeguards or other beach management personnel
No beach fires except in designated areas -- fire residue and superheated sand can severely burn bare feet -- use a barbeque that is elevated off the sand

Boating: (From San Diego LifeGuards)

Some of the major regulations are listed below.

General Vessel Speed

No person may operate a vessel at a speed greater than five (5) miles per hour within 100 feet of a swimmer or surfer or within 200 feet of a beach frequented by swimmers.

Ocean Vessel Speed

No person may operate a vessel in excess of five (5) miles per hour within 1,000 feet of the oceanfront coastline of the City of San Diego. Separate boating regulations apply to Mission Bay.

Mission Bay Vessel Speed

The speed limit on Mission Bay from sunset to sunrise is five (5) miles per hour. At other times, certain areas have a designated speed limit of five (5) miles per hour or less. These include:

• Wherever buoys are posted with a five (5) mile per hour limit
• Near bridges
• Within 100 feet of shore
• Within 100 feet of another vessel

Minimum Age

• No person under the age of twelve (12) may operate a motorized vessel with more than fifteen (15) horsepower. Children ages twelve (12) to sixteen (16) must have a person eighteen (18) years of age or older onboard to operate such a vessel. (There are some limited exceptions.)

Equipment

Although equipment requirements vary depending on the size and type of boat, most pleasure boaters are required to have the following on board while underway:

• One throwable flotation device
• One wearable flotation device for each person on board
• One marine type fire extinguisher for motorboats of a closed hull construction
• Navigation lights if operating after sunset
• One sound producing device
• One visual distress signal
• Appropriate registration cards, numbers, and stickers

Mission Bay Boat Beaching

• Vessels are permitted to be beached in many parts of Mission Bay, provided there is not a designated swim area or a waterski takeoff and landing area. The north end of Fiesta Island is closed to beaching. It is important to read signs carefully before beaching a boat in any area.

Oceanfront Boat Beaching

• Beaching is prohibited along the oceanfront, except at the La Jolla Shores boat launch located at 2000 Avenida de la Playa.

Anchoring in Mission Bay

• Overnight anchoring is permitted only in Mariners Basin and is limited to 72 hours. Long term moorings are available for a fee.

Special Use Areas

• Mission Bay has four major activity zones: swimming areas, open speed areas, 5 mph areas, and special use areas. The special use areas include Personal Watercraft Only areas, Personal Watercraft Permit areas, and Waterski Permit areas. In addition to these activity zones, certain beach areas have special rules. For instance, there are four waterski takeoff/landing zones. Only users that are actively participating in waterskiiing are allowed to use these areas. Two of these areas operate under different rules depending on the time of year. For these reasons, it is important to read the posted signs carefully. Extensive explanatory signs are posted at boat launches and further information is available at Lifeguard Headquarters.

Bonfires: (Our tips)

• When setting up a bonfire, make sure the wood is set sot the fire can breathe! A teepee (cone shape with the point going to the sky) shape with the wood leaning against each other is good.
• When starting a bonfire make sure you have everyone stay back just in case the fire feels real friendly and wants to touch anyone who is close... called singed hair and burned skin..
• Be careful when adding wood to bonfire of splinters.
• When bonfire is over, make sure it is out by putting water/sand on it.

Swimming: San Diego lifeguards recommend the following safety tips:

• Learn to swim
• Swim near a lifeguard
• Never swim alone
• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present
• Don't rely on floation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water
• If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull
• Alcohol and swimming don't mix
• Protect your head, neck, and spine -- don't dive into unfamiliar waters -- feet first, first time
• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help
• Follow regulations and lifeguard directions
• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances
• Scuba dive only if trained and certified -- and within the limits of your training
• Report hazardous conditions to lifeguards or other beach management personnel